Turkiye’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iran’s Masoud Pezeshkian met in Cairo for the D-8 summit, addressing ongoing conflicts in Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon. Erdogan emphasized unity in Syria, while Pezeshkian called for action to relieve suffering in conflict areas. This marks a significant interaction as the first Iranian presidential visit to Egypt since 2013, amidst improving diplomatic ties following Egypt’s mediating role in regional conflicts.
On Thursday, the leaders of Turkiye and Iran convened in Cairo for a summit comprising eight Muslim-majority nations. This marked their first meeting since the ousting of Syrian President Bashar Assad, amid ongoing regional conflicts including those in Gaza and Syria. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed the necessity for unity and the restoration of Syria’s territorial integrity, emphasizing the importance of peace among diverse ethnic and religious groups within Syria. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, addressing the crises in Gaza and Lebanon, articulated the moral obligation to alleviate suffering in affected areas.
Pezeshkian’s visit to Egypt is historically significant as he is the first Iranian president to make such a visit since 2013. Although political ties between Egypt and Iran have faced challenges over the years, recent diplomatic engagements have surged following Egypt’s role as a mediator in the Gaza conflict. Notable meetings include Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi’s visit to Egypt last October and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty’s attendance at Pezeshkian’s inauguration in Tehran earlier this year.
As the summit unfolded, Pezeshkian expressed hope that their cooperation would resonate globally, demanding an end to perceived Israeli aggression in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. Earlier this year, Erdogan had engaged with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, focusing on economic and regional matters. The D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, which includes Egypt, Turkiye, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Malaysia, aims to enhance collaboration among its members, spanning from Southeast Asia to Africa.
The recent summit in Cairo involving leaders from Turkiye and Iran signifies a noteworthy diplomatic effort amidst regional instability. Historically, Turkiye and Iran have opposed each other’s stances on Syrian leadership, with Turkiye supporting opposition forces and Iran backing Assad’s regime. The D-8 Organization, established in 1997, seeks to improve economic collaboration among its member states, addressing global challenges through a united front. With escalating tensions in Gaza and elsewhere, the summit serves as a platform for discussing cooperative strategies to tackle these pressing issues.
The summit held in Cairo underlines the potential for renewed diplomatic dynamics between Turkiye and Iran, specifically concerning conflicts in Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon. The discussions were anchored in appeals for unity and humanitarian responses to ongoing crises. As regional tensions persist, the commitment expressed by the leaders signifies a crucial step towards collaborative efforts aimed at fostering peace and stability across the Muslim-majority countries involved.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
